Concerns are growing about anti-social behaviour in the Strand gardens after a man says he was confronted by a gang of 15 youths.

The man, who asked not to be identified, says he was attempting to record footage of anti-social behaviour to send to the council, when he was surrounded and threatened.

The man said: “I started filming and I suddenly had 15 or so kids round me.

“One big guy was two inches from my face looking right through me, asking what I was doing.”

The man, who says he has previously seen gangs throwing stones at young girls, called on the authorities to take action.

He said: “The council could change it so easily, just by putting a few notices up saying no BMXs, because it’s not what it was meant for.

“The people who live here now want to live somewhere else.”

A woman, who witnessed the man’s confrontation with the youths, said she was appalled by the incident.

“It was horrible. It’s not the sort of thing we want to see in The Strand and they weren’t quiet, they were effing and blinding.

“It’s definitely affecting a lot of people. I speak to people all the time who talk about the rudeness of the kids – and they’re not little kids either.”

Exmouth police said the public should report any troublemakers.

Sgt Phil Godfrey said: “We have had a number of complaints from members of the public concerning anti-social behaviour in The Strand.

“Young people on BMXs riding through The Strand is one thing, but if they’re being anti-social, then it’s quite another.

“If people think they are behaving in an anti-social manner they need to be contacting us sooner rather than later.”